ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior High School basketball community, as well as many others in Richmond County, is beginning its healing process after losing a member of Raider Nation last weekend.
Jalen David, a 17-year-old junior at Richmond, was a point guard on the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams the past two seasons.
On Wednesday, hundreds of family members, friends, teammates, coaches and community supporters met at Falling Creek Park for a balloon release to honor his memory.
This season, David would have been a varsity player for fourth-year head coach Donald Pettigrew. David would likely have split reps at the point guard position with senior Patrick McLaughlin.
During his sophomore season in 2019-2020, David floated between Richmond’s junior varsity and varsity programs. When the varsity team suffered a couple of injuries early in the winter, Pettigrew called David’s number.
The final points he scored in his high school basketball career came against Scotland High School in the JV team’s season finale. Playing against the Scots on Feb. 14, David scored 16 points as a part of Richmond’s 74-67 overtime win against its rival. Eleven of his points came in the second half and overtime period.
In part one of this ROSports feature, several of the 15 members of the Richmond athletic and academic community remember their friend, student-athlete and “brother”. Participating in this edition are five of his former teammates and three teachers.
Though it was said at the balloon release that David was “gone too soon,” the player known as “No. 22” will be remembered for his smile, wit, humor, selflessness and drive on and off the basketball court.
Richmond Teammates
Dakota Chavis, sophomore guard
Chavis and David spent the last several years playing travel basketball together with the Jammers, before the two spent time together on the JV basketball team during the 2019-2020 season.
“What I liked most about Jalen was his humor and personality. I will miss his humor and how he made everyone laugh. As a basketball player, I feel like he would’ve made it somewhere. He was really good, he could do it all and was versatile.
“His work ethic was there. After a lot of practices he would stay and get in extra work with Coach T (Tony Terry). He was special and all he wanted to do was play basketball. I wouldn’t call him a friend — I would say he was more of a brother. Jalen would be there for you if you needed him, he would always make you laugh, he was just a person who gave off good vibes.
“My favorite memories with him would be when we used to talk trash to each other or talk in the locker room, and when he used to impersonate Coach Bootsy (Pettigrew) and make everyone laugh. There was never a dull moment with him. We are going to make this season for him!”
Xavier Collazo, junior guard
Collazo and David spent the better part of the past two seasons working the guard position on the junior varsity. The two were considered best friends.
“Jalen had great work ethic in the gym and I really liked his personality. He never gave up on anything he did. He was just such a great person. What I’m going to miss most about Jalen is the bond me and him had. There were always good vibes when we were around each other and there was never a dull moment.
“He was a great teammate and a friend, and he was becoming a leader on the court. We used to always have a 3-point contest before practice to work on our jump shot. He used to always play around and talk like Coach Bootsy. He always had the whole team laughing and he always had a smile on his face. He could make a bad day into a good day.
“Jalen was such a good friend and we were brothers. We have a lot of memories together that I will never forget — my brother Jalen will always be in my heart.
“I remember we played Scotland, which was our last game together. Me, Jalen and Deshon (Watson) balled out and that was one of the best games I ever played in my life. I remember the day we were supposed to pick jerseys. He was on varsity and I was on JV and we both picked 22 to match and I will never forget that.I will forever love you my boy. #LLJ.”
Kellan Hood, junior wing
Teammates since middle school on the Jammers and the Rockets, Hood was really close to David the last several years. He talks about missing his friend and some of his best memories.
“There was never a dull moment with Jalen, especially with his personality. Every time I saw him, he was always smiling and giving off good vibes. He was never negative. I’m really going to miss the conversations on the bench during basketball games, playing one-on-one with him and just being around him.
“Jalen was a hard worker, he always stayed after practice to work on his jump shot and game. I still remember when he crossed someone up and made them fall during a basketball game and the whole crowd went crazy. He was always focused, but also funny at practice. Just the thought that I won’t be able to laugh and joke with him anymore really gets to me.
“I’ll never forget the basketball locker room during eighth grade when me, Micah (Jackson), Cason (Douglas), Xavier (Collazo) and Taye (Spencer) would always play around and joke before practice. Jalen would always hype me and Caleb’s fusses up. One of my favorite memories of Jalen was when he’d talk and act like Coach Bootsy. We used to ride across from each other on the bus to away games and play fight with Coach Bootsy’s kids. Writing about him brings tears to my eyes because he never deserved this.
“Just seeing my brother on a shirt really hurts my heart. You always hear rappers rap about the brothers they lost, but I never thought I’d be able to relate to their pain. I love you forever and you’ll never be forgotten. #LongLiveJalenForever.”
Deshon Watson, junior wing
Another member of the class of 2021, Watson was a longtime teammate of David’s through school ball. The two were expected to be regular varsity contributors together this winter.
“What I liked about Jalen was how talented he was and all the hard work he put in. Something I will truly miss is every moment we ever had — like balling on the court, the joy we shared together on and off the court and especially the calls just to check up on each other.
“Jalen was a monster — if you asked me how hard it was to guard him, it was hard. But I always put up with it because he was making me better on defense. He always had a smile on his face, which made me think ‘okay if you’re cool with it, I’m with you bro.’ We had that mentality for a very long time.
“He was really all over the court doing everything he could do, he was a leader and he taught me some stuff growing up. At the beginning of the varsity season last year, the first game home against Anson, we were talking about who was going to make the most threes in that game. It turned out we both made three in that game, and also that very last game we played together against Scotland, we knew they weren’t ready for me, him and Chupp (Xavier).
“I’m going to miss all of the moments… I enjoyed Jalen while he was here with me. I just wish he was here longer. I cry just by having flashbacks about him, but I know he would want me to be strong. I love you bro, watch over me. #LongLiveMyBrother.”
Luke Williams, junior forward
The final of his former teammates to share memories about David is Williams, as the duo racked up big minutes for the JV team last year.
“What I liked about Jalen was his dedication to the sport of basketball and his loving personality. He was always working hard before, during and after practice and he had a true love for the game. Jalen was one of the most upbeat and outgoing guys I have ever met, and anytime you had a conversation with Jalen, he always had a big smile on his face.
“I am going to miss not being able to play basketball with him anymore, and we’ve been playing together our whole lives. He did what he loved doing everyday. Jalen was that dude you just couldn’t get mad at because he was always nice to everyone and could brighten up your day in a heartbeat.
“I remember I would be tired after school and just ready to go home, but Jalen had all the energy in the world to practice. That’s when I realized he was going to be special. There weren’t many kids like Jalen.
“I loved Jalen and it truly saddens me that I can’t see what his future was going to be like. I promise you he would’ve had a bright one ahead of him. Rest in peace Jalen David, you will be loved and missed forever.”
Former Teachers
Tobi Stewart, Ninth Grade Academy
Known simply as Miss Tobi at the Ninth Grade Academy, one of Stewart’s primary goals is to form relationships with students. David and his fellow basketball players were no different, as she helped them navigate their freshman year during the 2018-2019 school year.
“Oh, I’m going to miss that sweet child and his sweet smile. Jalen balanced people out and he was so kind. His presence was very calming, but also very productive. That’s rare, especially with high school boys. I loved him.
“There are a lot of days that stick out to me about him, but my favorite day was when my son, Gage, played in the championship basketball game in Hamlet. It was the weekend before school ended in March. Right after the game, Jalen, Xavier and Gage were starving.
“First it was Taco Bell, then it was Wendy’s and Biscuitville. I’m driving and the music is playing. Then Jalen looked at Gage and said ‘you just won the championship, what do you want to eat?’ And it meant everything to Gage because this was a varsity Raider being a mentor to him. Jalen was so selfless, all the time.”
Tara King, Ninth Grade Academy
King was David’s Math I teacher for the entirety of his freshman year. She remembers him as a quiet student, but one who made an impact on his peers.
“I can still picture Jalen sitting in my first block surrounded by friends, friends who he remained close to even after the Academy. He was the quiet one of the group, but he had a smile that spoke millions. He will forever hold a place in heart and I’m sure in many others’ hearts, too.”
Arthur Gilliam, Richmond Senior High School
Gilliam taught civics and economics to David during his sophomore year (fall of 2019). He recalls David’s humility and smile in the classroom and on the basketball court.
“Jalen was special! He wasn’t special because of his talent, because his talent spoke for itself. He was special because when he smiled the entire room lit up. When you told him to listen, he was paying attention to every word you said. His humility was second to none.
“I remember when I heard that he could play basketball. I asked him could he ‘really’ play? He just smiled and nodded and said, ‘Yeah, I can play Mr. Gilliam.’ I went to a basketball game and in the first ten minutes of me being there he had scored three times. I yelled his name and he just looked over at me and smiled.
“I will miss his sense of humor. His ability to silently make everyone in the room laugh. He didn’t talk much, but his presence was that of a giant. He was one of the nicest kids you would ever want to meet. I was hard on him, because he was great. On and off the field, Jalen was simply GREAT!”
In a second piece, seven former coaches of David’s will also remember No. 22.
